Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This classic textbook now enters its forth edition, offering a distillation of decades of research and teaching experience in toxicology. Known all over the world after its translation into six languages, Lu's Basic Toxicology: Fundamentals, Target Organs, and Risk Assessment is a benchmark text that brings clarity and insight into a rapidly evolving subject.
Noted for its concise yet broad coverage of the subject, this new edition includes new chapters on over-the counter preparations, lactation and occupational toxicology. In addition, it covers:

" The action of chemicals that cause cancer, mutations, congenital malformations and organ or system specific effects
" Why chemical target specific organs and systems and how these effects are revealed by laboratory tests
" The host and environmental factors that modify these effects
" The effects of food additives, pesticides, metals, pollutants in air, water and soil, as well as toxicants encountered in workplaces
" The procedures commonly used in assessing risk associated with these chemicals
The breadth of this book makes it ideal for students requiring an introduction to toxicology, whether those specializing in toxicology or those from other biomedical disciplines who need a clear and concise overview of the field. The inclusion of separate subject and chemical indexes also makes it a useful shelf reference for more experienced researchers.
In Lu's Basic Toxicology, Frank Lu and Sam Kacew have transcribed their vast experience to produce a book which will be an invaluable reference to student and practising toxicologists everywhere.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• About the authors (p. xiii)
• Preface (p. xv)
• Part I General principles of toxicology (p. 1)
• 1 General considerations (p. 3)
• Definition and purpose of toxicology (p. 3)
• Scope and subdisciplines (p. 4)
• Early developments (p. 5)
• Recent developments (p. 5)
• Some challenges and successes (p. 7)
• Toxicity vs. other considerations (p. 8)
• Future prospects (p. 9)
• References (p. 11)
• Appendix 1.1 U.S. laws that have a basis in toxicology (p. 11)
• Appendix 1.2 Examples of outbreaks of mass poisoning (p. 12)
• 2 Absorption, distribution, and excretion of toxicants (p. 13)
• Introduction (p. 13)
• Absorption (p. 17)
• Distribution (p. 19)
• Excretion (p. 21)
• Levels of toxicants in the body (p. 23)
• References (p. 25)
• 3 Biotransformation of toxicants (p. 26)
• General considerations (p. 26)
• Phase I (degradation) reactions (p. 27)
• Phase II (conjugation) reactions (p. 29)
• Bioactivation (p. 32)
• Complex nature of biotransformation (p. 35)
• References (p. 37)
• Appendix 3.1 Examples of bioactivation (p. 38)
• 4 Toxic effects (p. 39)
• General considerations (p. 40)
• Spectrum of toxic effects (p. 40)
• Target organs (p. 43)
• Mechanisms of action (p. 45)
• Molecular targets: chemical nature (p. 47)
• Receptors (p. 50)
• References (p. 54)
• 5 Modifying factors of toxic effects (p. 56)
• General considerations (p. 56)
• Host factors (p. 57)
• Environmental factors (p. 64)
• Chemical interaction (p. 65)
• References (p. 67)
• Appendix 5.1 Mechanisms underlying certain modifying factors (p. 69)
• Appendix 5.2 Strain-related differences in drug-induced responses (p. 70)
• Part II Testing procedures for conventional and nontarget organ toxicities (p. 71)
• 6 Conventional toxicity studies (p. 73)
• Introduction (p. 74)
• Acute toxicity studies (p. 75)
• Short-term and long-term toxicity studies (p. 81)
• Good laboratory practice (p. 85)
• References (p. 86)
• Additional reading (p. 87)
• Appendix 6.1 General observations, clinical laboratory tests, and pathology examinations that may be used in short- and long-term toxicity studies (p. 88)
• 7 Carcinogenesis (p. 89)
• Introduction (p. 90)
• Mode of action (p. 92)
• Categories of carcinogens (p. 95)
• Some human carcinogens/target organs (p. 100)
• Tests for carcinogenicity (p. 101)
• Evaluation (p. 105)
• References (p. 108)
• Additional reading (p. 110)
• Appendix 7.1 Probable carcinogenic chemicals (p. 110)
• Appendix 7.2 Biomarkers of carcinogenesis/human cancers (p. 111)
• 8 Mutagenesis (p. 113)
• Introduction (p. 114)
• Gene mutation (p. 116)
• Chromosomal effects (p. 121)
• DNA repair and recombination (p. 124)
• Other tests (p. 125)
• Evaluation (p. 125)
• References (p. 127)
• 9 Developmental toxicology (p. 130)
• Introduction (p. 131)
• Teratogens (developmental toxicants) and their effects (p. 133)
• Mode of action (p. 134)
• Teratogens of special interest (p. 136)
• Testing procedures (p. 137)
• Evaluation of teratogenic effects (p. 138)
• References (p. 139)
• Appendix 9.1 Teratogens in animal models (p. 140)
• 10 Lactation (p. 142)
• General remarks (p. 142)
• Benefits of breast-feeding (p. 143)
• Toxicants (p. 146)
• References (p. 150)
• Part III Target organs and systems (p. 153)
• 11 Toxicology of the immune system (p. 155)
• General considerations (p. 155)
• Components of the system (p. 156)
• Immunotoxicants (p. 159)
• Immunotoxicities: testing procedures (p. 162)
• Evaluation (p. 165)
• References (p. 166)
• Additional reading (p. 167)
• 12 Respiratory system: inhalation toxicology (p. 168)
• Introduction (p. 169)
• Toxicants and their effects (p. 170)
• Testing procedures (p. 174)
• Evaluation (p. 177)
• References (p. 178)
• Appendix 12.1 Site of action and pulmonary disease produced by selected occupationally inhaled toxicants (p. 180)
• Appendix 12.2 Mechanisms underlying the oxidative stress induced by cigarette smoke (p. 181)
• 13 Toxicology of the liver (p. 182)
• General considerations (p. 183)
• Types of liver injury (p. 184)
• Hepatotoxicants (p. 188)
• Testing procedures (p. 189)
• Evaluation (p. 191)
• References (p. 192)
• Appendix 13.1 Examples of hepatotoxic agents and associated liver injury (p. 195)
• 14 Toxicology of the kidney (p. 196)
• Introduction (p. 197)
• Nephrotoxicants: mechanism and site of action (p. 200)
• Testing procedure (p. 202)
• Evaluation (p. 206)
• References (p. 207)
• Additional reading (p. 208)
• 15 Toxicology of the skin (p. 209)
• General considerations (p. 209)
• Types of toxic effects and dermatotoxicants (p. 211)
• Testing procedures (p. 215)
• Evaluation (p. 217)
• In vitro tests (p. 217)
• References (p. 218)
• Appendix 15.1 Primary irritation (p. 219)
• 16 Toxicology of the eye (p. 221)
• General considerations (p. 221)
• Toxicants and site of their effects (p. 223)
• Testing procedures (p. 227)
• Evaluation (p. 229)
• References (p. 230)
• Appendix 16.1 Cataractogenic chemicals (p. 231)
• Appendix 16.2 Grading of eye irritation (p. 232)
• 17 Toxicology of the nervous system (p. 233)
• Introduction (p. 234)
• Neurotoxic effects and neurotoxicants (p. 236)
• Testing procedures (p. 243)
• Behavioral studies: testing procedures (p. 245)
• Evaluation (p. 247)
• References (p. 247)
• Appendix 17.1 Select neurotoxicants described in text (p. 249)
• 18 Reproductive and cardiovascular systems (p. 251)
• Reproductive system (p. 252)
• Introduction (p. 252)
• Toxicants and their effects (p. 254)
• Routine testing: multigeneration reproduction studies (p. 256)
• Other tests (p. 258)
• Cardiovascular system (p. 258)
• General considerations (p. 258)
• Toxic effects on the heart (p. 260)
• Toxic effects on blood vessels (p. 262)
• Testing procedures (p. 263)
• References (p. 265)
• Part IV Toxic substances and risk assessment (p. 267)
• 19 Food additives and contaminants (p. 269)
• Introduction (p. 270)
• Toxicological testing and evaluation (p. 272)
• Additives of toxicological concern (p. 274)
• Indirect additives and contaminants (p. 276)
• Contaminants (p. 278)
• References (p. 281)
• Appendix 19.1 Major functional groups of direct food additives (p. 283)
• 20 Toxicity of pesticides (p. 285)
• Introduction (p. 286)
• Categories of pesticides (p. 287)
• Toxicological properties (p. 291)
• Testing, evaluation, and control (p. 295)
• Gulf War Syndrome (p. 297)
• References (p. 299)
• Appendix 20.1 Toxicological findings and evaluation on certain insecticides (p. 301)
• 21 Toxicity of metals (p. 302)
• Introduction (p. 303)
• Certain common features (p. 304)
• Common toxic effects (p. 308)
• Metals of major toxicological concern (p. 310)
• Risk/benefit considerations (p. 317)
• References (p. 321)
• 22 Over-the-counter preparations (p. 324)
• General remarks (p. 324)
• Prevalence in society (p. 325)
• Adverse consequences (p. 326)
• References (p. 330)
• 23 Environmental pollutants (p. 333)
• General remarks (p. 334)
• Air pollutants (p. 335)
• Water and soil pollutants (p. 339)
• References (p. 343)
• 24 Occupational toxicology (p. 346)
• General remarks (p. 347)
• Exposure limits (p. 348)
• Occupational toxicants (p. 350)
• Monitoring (p. 356)
• References (p. 357)
• Appendix 24.1 Acute pesticide toxicity, general signs and symptoms in humans (p. 359)
• 25 Toxicologic evaluation: assessment of safety/risk (p. 361)
• Introduction (p. 362)
• Major approaches (p. 363)
• Acceptable daily intake (ADI/RfD)/safety assessment (p. 364)
• Mathematical models/risk assessment (p. 368)
• Other procedures (p. 373)
• International activities in toxicological evaluation (p. 374)
• References (p. 376)
• Chemical index (p. 380)
• Subject index (p. 386)

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Frank C. Lu, MD, is a Consulting Toxicologist in Food Additives, Pesticides and Environmental Chemicals, and is an Honorary Professor of the Chinese Academy of Preventative Medicine. In 1994, the Frank C. Lu Foundation for Advancement of Preventative Medicine was established in China to honor him and his work. In 2000, he received the Magnolia Award from the Shanghai Municipal Government for his assistance in the advancement of preventative medicine, especially in the promotion of occupational safety and environmental health.
Sam Kacew, PhD, ATS, is Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Ottawa. He is a member of the Advisory Expert Committee of the Canadian Network of Toxicology Centers and has received Achievement Awards from both the Society of Toxicology of Canada and the Society of Toxicology.